Hong Kong Youth Get Elite Fencing and PSG Football Training

Under the bright lights of Kai Tak Arena, nearly 170 young fencers competed for something bigger than trophies: 20 fully sponsored spots in an elite training program that could launch professional sports careers.

The "Fencing Plus" Training Programme attracted nearly 800 children aged 6 to 12 in its first stage. After several selection rounds, the strongest performers earned places in a structured 1.5-year coaching program designed to prepare them for local and regional competitions, with top athletes potentially advancing to Hong Kong's elite fencing system.

CTF Life, a Hong Kong insurance company with 40 years of local history, sponsors the program through its partnership with Kai Tak Sports Initiative. The collaboration brings professional coaching and world-class facilities to young athletes who might not otherwise access such opportunities.

"Through systematic and professional training, participants receive comprehensive coaching and gain the chance to progress to elite sports programmes in Hong Kong," said Tang King-shing, Director of Strategic Planning at Kai Tak Sports Park.

A parallel initiative focuses on football through an exclusive three-year partnership with Paris Saint-Germain Academy. The program brings PSG's training methodology to young players across Hong Kong, Macau and selected mainland Chinese cities, with sessions led by UEFA-certified coaches.

More than 20 young athletes from Hong Kong have been selected to represent the local PSG Academy team at the PSG Academy World Cup in Paris this May. Five of those spots went to young people who received priority registration through CTF Life's membership program.

The Ripple Effect

The football collaboration recently supported the GBA CUP Youth Sports Tournament in Guangzhou, where over 600 young athletes from 17 schools and clubs competed. The tournament created connections across the Greater Bay Area, fostering not just athletic skills but cultural understanding among young people from different cities.

Both programs offer more than sports training. They provide structured pathways from recreational participation to professional development, filling a gap that has traditionally made elite sports accessible only to families with significant resources.

Young fencers and footballers now have clear steps forward: compete well, earn advancement, gain access to international coaches and competitions. For families, the fully sponsored nature removes financial barriers that have historically limited who gets to pursue athletic excellence.

Hundreds of young people who showed up to try something new are now training with purpose, building skills that extend beyond the field or the piste.